1841.] On the Laws and Law-books of the Armenians. 243 



help of these animals essential services are rendered to the government 

 of the country." 



From the same chapter of the code of Mechithar Ghosh, we shall 

 quote what relates to the administration and law of precedence of the 

 ancients. " It is unjust in princes to impose a tax upon believers, be- 

 cause the unbelievers are alone to be taxed. It is proper to exact tribute 

 from the latter, but not from the former, as it is done by the Georgians 

 to those placed under their subjection. When a tract of land is grant- 

 ed by the crown to an Armenian nobleman, — if a fort be raised on it by 

 the latter in accordance with the royal consent, or if a village be con- 

 structed thereon, or if ruined buildings be repaired thereon, — then, and in 

 that case, the same tract of land is to devolve on him and his heirs in 

 perpetuity. The land so granted is by no means to be alienated from 

 him without a very serious and heinous offence. And, after the death 

 of the person or persons on whom that land is conferred, the gift is to 

 devolve on his, her, or their, descendants by order of the king. In like 

 manner, nobles are to be next to princes, according to the seniority or 

 priority of the latter, and citizens and peasants ought to be subordinate 

 to nobles. — Forests cleared, and ruined places repaired or rebuilt, are to 

 be the undisputed and inalienable property of the enterprising persons 

 at whose expense the works were performed, and are to devolve on 

 their children in perpetuity after their death. On the construction of a 

 city or fort, should there be a deficiency of money in the public trea- 

 sury, it is incumbent on the people to render their general support 

 towards the completion of the building. Citizens are to enjoy the honor 

 of precedence to villagers, and inhabitants of villages should precede 

 in rank the farmers and husbandmen. This law of precedence is, in 

 like manner, to obtain among the denizens of forts and villages. These 

 have been the usual and invariable practices among the ancient kings of 

 Armenia." The concluding portion of this quotation alludes to the 

 usages prevalent in our country during the reign of Valarsaces, as stated 

 above. 



Courts of Judicature^ and Codes of Laws in Armenia. 



In our national history mention is made of the institution of courts 

 of judicature by Valarsaces, during the days of the Arsacidae, as it ap- 

 pears from the testimony of Moses of Chorene, while speaking of the 



